Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Enthusiasts say failure to display historic ship model is ‘deplorable’
TWO Dundee ship enthusiasts say it’s “deplorable” that Leisure and Culture Dundee cannot provide suitable accommodation for a model of one of the “most significant ships ever built on the Tay”.
John “Jack” Reilly, who is a former manager at Dundee’s Caledon shipyard, and Dundee historian Dr Andrew Jeffrey, say a spectacular shipyard model of Alfred Holt’s Caledon-built cargo and passenger liner TSMV Glenearn represents a “jewel in the crown” of Dundee’s industrial heritage.
They have been campaigning for the model to be brought back to Dundee to help promote the history and heritage of Dundee’s Caledon yard, which closed in 1981, and to showcase the remarkable history of these vessels.
However, having raised concerns with Dundee East MSP Shona Robison, a response sent to Ms Robison’s office from Leisure and Culture Dundee has stated that The McManus museum “is not in a position to provide suitable accommodation for the model”.
Measuring more than 12ft long and built in
Dundee by Caledon model maker William Gateshill, the model was loaned to the National Maritime Museum in 1947 and has been in storage for decades.
The model represents the Dundee-built Glenearn (1938) and her sister Glengyle (1939) which were requisitioned by the Admiralty in 1939.
It’s been made clear to the enthusiasts that the model could be made available to an “accredited institution” in Dundee on a free 30-year lease.
However, in her correspondence with Ms Robison, Judy Dobbie, managing director at Leisure and Culture Dundee, poured cold water on the suggestion.
She said: “I fully appreciate Mr Reilly’s view of the historical relevance of this model, however the size of the model means that a significant number of existing exhibits would need to be removed to accommodate it.”
Reacting to Leisure and Culture Dundee’s position, Jack and Andrew said that to refuse their suggestion on the basis there is no space in The McManus’ maritime sector is “deplorable”, and they do not intend to give up.